Investigation of Thermophysical Properties of AW-2024-T3 Bare and Clad Aluminum Alloys

Abstract

In this paper, thermophysical and viscoelastic dynamic mechanical measurements (DMA) were performed for bare and clad aluminum AW-2024-T3 alloys. Specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and dynamic module (storage and loss) tests were performed in the range of 50 to 500 °C, except for DMA ones (RT–400 °C). All tests were carried out using the following specialized measuring stands: a light flash apparatus (LFA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The microstructures and compositions of alloys were investigated by light microscope (LM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Furthermore, Vickers micro-hardness measurements were conducted prior to and after DSC studies. Different precipitation kinetics of the θ′ and S′ metastable phases in the bare 2024-T3 compared to the clad alloy were observed by DSC. Additionally, the DSC results for a few selected scan rates were analyzed by the Kissinger method to give activation energies for the precipitation of θ′ and S′ metastable phases in the alloys. The apparent activation energy of the θ′ and S′ phases corresponds to 137.1 ± 4.4 kJ· mol−1 for the bare alloy and 131.0 ± 6.0 (exo) and 104.1 ± 2.1 (exo) (two peaks) for the clad alloy.

Study of thermal properties of the aluminium EN AW 2024-T3 alloy

“…In commercial EN AW 2024 alloy precipitation sequence includes the formation of Guinier-Preston-Bagaryatsky (GPB) zones followed by precipitation of S and S metastable phases before the precipitation of stable S-Al 2 CuMg phase [17,31]. According to the results of Zmywaczyk et al [6] and Semnani and Degischer [32], the exothermic heat effect in the temperature range identified in the present study is related to the precipitation of S and S phases. This is also in accordance with the results of the microstructural analysis.…”

“…Alloys from the 2xxx series have a good combination of different required properties: high mecha-*Corresponding author: e-mail address: dmanasijevic@tfbor.bg.ac.rs nical properties as well as strength-to-weight ratio, good formability, machinability, fatigue, and acceptable damage tolerance [5][6][7][8]. Their good mechanical properties can be achieved using thermal or thermomechanical treatments, which include precipitation hardening (aging).…”

“…As can be seen, the influence of aging parameters on the mechanical properties of EN AW 2024 alloys has been studied intensively. The changes in thermal properties were rarely reported [6]. However, aluminum alloys are often considered as heat sink materials to dissipate the heat away from the components, ensuring their regular operation.…”